65: Chu Zu's suggestion

Miss Qing Luo’s eyes flickered with a thoughtful look. Whether this Chu Family was worth investing in, she might consider it in the future.

She nodded slightly towards Chu Jingyu, her skirt swaying gently, and then she exited the private room.

Chu Jingyu watched the somewhat unpredictable Miss Qing Luo leave. Normally, she seemed approachable and showed no airs of being a Pavilion Master, yet when facing the Huo Family, the local emperor of Zhiyao County, she wouldn't yield an inch.

To be honest, Chu Jingyu was somewhat curious about Miss Qing Luo’s Family background.

A moment later, a maid walked in carrying another tray. Chu Jingyu took one of the two jade pendants from the tray and extended his Mental Energy to examine its internal space.

He found that the space within was quite decent, about the size of a main hall in the Chu Family residence, capable of holding many things for daily use.

Chu Jingyu handed one of them to Chu Qinhui, hung the one in his hand on his waist, and then stored all the Materials and the Source Spirit Stone on the table into the spatial pendant.

On the first floor of the Treasure Pavilion, Chu Jingyu and his son encountered Qi Hongyu again.

He seemed to be waiting there specifically; upon seeing the Chu Family father and son, he immediately came forward, a warm, spring-like smile on his face.

"Clan Leader Chu, I apologize for any offense earlier. Please forgive me."

To have inquired about his Family’s information so quickly, this young man seemed quite capable.

Chu Jingyu disliked the somewhat deep-minded Qi Hongyu from the bottom of his heart, but he still had to maintain appearances. So, Chu Jingyu said indifferently:

"There’s no need for a special apology. We are just a small Family in the town, and we have no intention of getting involved in your county town’s conflicts."

Hearing Chu Jingyu’s words, Qi Hongyu chuckled softly, "I come from the Ninth-Rank Humble Family Qi Family in the county town. We are not a large Family either. In this world, to survive, us small Noble Family should stick together.

If Old Gentleman ever comes to the county town, I must treat him well."

Hearing him introduce himself, Chu Jingyu was even less afraid of him. He waved his hand lightly, "No need. Our Chu Family just needs to develop well in the town. We won't get involved with your county town's Family."

With that, Chu Jingyu strode past Qi Hongyu, purchased some more Materials at certain stalls on the first floor of the Treasure Pavilion, and then exited the Treasure Pavilion.

Carrying a huge amount of wealth, the two did not linger in the town but rushed straight back to the Family.

That night, Chu Jingyu bowed before the Eight Immortals table, then placed the Materials requested by Ancestor Chu on the table.

The stone book lit up with colorful threads and a vortex. The threads drew the Materials and the Cuiyin Bird held by Chu Shenghan into the vortex on the book.

About a quarter of an hour later.

A sparrow-like bird, about half a meter long, with a long, emerald green tail, appeared in the main hall.

Its beak was long and curved, its eyes narrow, with an open plume above them. Its feathers were like splendid garments, adding a shimmering feel.

If the previous Source Beast evolutions could still vaguely show a connection to their original species, this Cuiyin Bird, before and after entering and exiting, had virtually no connection in terms of size or appearance, except for both being birds.

The Phantasmagoric Feathered Sparrow gently flapped its wings, glanced at the Chu Family members, then walked with firm steps to Chu Shenghan’s side and gently rubbed its slender head against her.

Chu Shenghan, somewhat dazed, gently stroked the Phantasmagoric Feathered Sparrow’s head with her palm, and her heart inexplicably felt at ease.

"So beautiful."

The first compliment came from Chu Shengyuan’s mouth. Hearing his praise, the other Chu Family members subconsciously lowered their heads.

The evolved Cuiyin Bird was indeed beautiful, just like the legendary Phoenix.

Seeing everyone gathered around the Phantasmagoric Feathered Sparrow, Chu Jingyu waved his hand, "You all go outside and ask. Ancestor Chu and I have some things to discuss."

Chu Jingyu’s tone was serious, and the other Chu Family members immediately obediently left, making the main hall empty and quiet.

Chu Jingyu first piously bowed again towards the stone book, "Greetings, Ancestor Chu. The Chu Family now needs a stable industry. Jingyu humbly asks, can Ancestor Chu evolve a batch of specific Source Beasts for the Chu Family to sell and trade?"

Under Chu Jingyu’s anxious gaze, the stone book shimmered with colorful light, as if Ancestor Chu, who resided within, was considering Chu Jingyu’s question.

"The Chu Family needs a proper large courtyard. There are too few people, and various chores do not require Family members to do them personally. Do these things first, and I will consider it."

Upon hearing Ancestor Chu’s reply, Chu Jingyu first felt a jolt, then relaxed. Ancestor Chu’s meaning was that it was possible, provided he first completed the two points he mentioned.

This was also what Chu Jingyu intended to do later. He quickly bowed again, "I will obey Ancestor Chu’s command. Jingyu will handle these matters."

"Hmm."

A faint sound came from the stone book, and then the book’s splendid glow receded, returning to its ordinary stone carving appearance.

Chu Jingyu walked out of the main hall, looked at the starry sky, and then touched the jade pendant at his waist, which held a large amount of Source Spirit Stone. These should be enough to complete the two tasks Ancestor Chu assigned... Time passed quickly, and in a blink of an eye, a month had gone by.

By this time, winter’s heavy snow had already fallen twice.

Even in this harsh winter, a residence covering more than ten mu was built next to the Chu Family courtyard.

If it weren't for the fact that many Contract Masters specializing in construction were hired using Origin Rune Stone during the building process, such a large project would likely not be completed in less than one or two years.

Now, looking from a distance, the hilltop of Qixia Mountain where the Chu Family was located seemed to have been half-leveled. Apart from the outermost platform, square, and some medicinal fields,

the most central and largest area was an ancient-style complex of buildings, complete with pavilions, terraces, and towers, further divided into many independent small courtyards.

In total, it covered more than ten mu, finally resembling a large Family residence.

However, the Chu Family currently had a small population, so many courtyards could only be left vacant for now.

Today, a light snow was falling, yet the villagers of Fuhe Village at the foot of Qixia Mountain seemed very enthusiastic.

Mainly because the main Family on Qixia Mountain, the Chu Family, had sent word that they wanted to select a group of maids, servants, and sturdy old women from the village to go up the mountain.

Going to serve as servants in an ordinary wealthy household would certainly not make the entire village so lively, nor would it make them wait so early.

But today’s recruitment of servants was unusual. It was a genuine Noble Family recruiting servants. Not to mention that the Chu Family was a newly rising Noble Family with few stewards, so if one performed well, they might even get a steward position.

Just the salary offered by the Chu Family for maids and servants—ten taels of silver per month—and for sturdy old women—eight taels of silver per month—was enough to drive them so crazy. Moreover, the Chu Family stated that what they were signing was not a contract of sale.

Instead, it was a contract for several years of work, and if one did not wish to continue after the term expired, they could choose not to renew and return home.

The generous remuneration and the Chu Family’s consistently good reputation led these villagers to bring their eligible children early and stand in the village square, awaiting the arrival of the Chu Family members.

Some astute and clever ones even meticulously dressed up their children, not aiming for exquisite beauty, but simply to appear more spirited than other children.